Patterns and predictors of childcare subsidies for children with and without special needs

Abstract

One goal of childcare subsidies is to increase access to quality childcare for families of low-income, thus supporting child and family wellbeing, but subsidies may not equally benefit children with and without special needs. This study examined patterns and predictors of subsidy use among children with disabilities or delays relative to children without special needs. A nationally representative sample of approximately 4,050 young children from families of low-income was drawn from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. We examined subsidized care receipt at ages nine months, two years, and four years using descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results suggest young children with special needs utilize childcare subsidies at significantly lower rates than their peers without disabilities. Mothers' marital status, work status, education, and age, along with child's race and number of siblings were significant predictors of subsidy use. We discuss implications for policy implementation and multisector collaboration to support the early care and education of young children with special needs.

Perceived organizational support and work engagement of employees with children with disabilities

“…Furthermore, this research emerges a number of significant implications for policy and practice. Workforce diversity has been receiving increased attention during the past years and it is expected to grow in the upcoming decades (Breevart and Bakker, 2011;Stewart, 2013;Sullivan, Farnsworth, and Susman-Stillman, 2018). Given the role that organizational support plays in work engagement, to enhance diversity, human resource management practitioners are encouraged to design policies that may trigger tangible and emotional support by supervisors of employees who are simultaneously parents of children with SND, especially for employees whose children display severe disability types.…”

“…There has currently been a small number of research reports and systematic reviews which indicate that social support provided to these parents should be improved (e.g., Authors, 2017;Stewart, 2013;Sullivan, Farnsworth and Susman-Stillman, 2018), given that social support can buffer the negative impact that raising a child with SND has on parental well-being (Breevart and Bakker, 2011). Most of this research has focused on Western European and Northern American contexts, whereas less attention has been given to the Asia-Pacific region.…”

Effectiveness of the Nurturing Program for Parents and their Children with Special Needs and their Health Challenges on the Perceived Energy for Parenting and Mindfulness

“…Children with disabilities and developmental delays are known as children with special needs. This concept includes a range of disorders in cognitive, physical, motor, verbal and social dimensions (2). One of the most important issues faced by the parents of children with special needs is parenting; specifically the perceived energy for parenting.…”

“…Parents of children with special needs face many difficulties in finding appropriate care for their children (30) and for many reasons; they have limited access to adequate and high-quality care. However, effective interventions can play a very prominent role in improving the family, children and related dimensions (2). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of parenting and children with special needs and their health struggles on the perceived energy for parenting and mindfulness.…”

Supporting Young Children With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Caregivers in Virginia

“…Approximately 815,000 children ages 3–5 received special education services in 2018 (6.75% of all children ages 3–5), an estimate that likely undercounts the total number of children who may qualify for special education services if referred and evaluated (Office of Special Education Programs, 2020). The pandemic may have particularly affected the caregivers of this large population of young children, many of whom were already struggling to find affordable, high-quality ECE that meets their child’s needs (Booth-LaForce & Kelly, 2004; Sullivan et al, 2018) and were more likely to experience stress, depression, and anxiety than were caregivers of young children without diagnosed disabilities (Blanchard et al, 2006).…”